In a normal distribution, what is the shape of the probability density function?Group of answer choices ExponentialU-shapedUniformBell-shaped

The shape of the probability density function for a normal distribution is bell-shaped.

In a normal distribution, most of the observations cluster around the mean, which is the highest point of the curve. As you move away from the mean in both directions, the probability density decreases, reflecting that extreme values are less likely. The bell shape is symmetrical around the mean, indicating that the odds of observing values on either side of the mean are equal.

This characteristic is crucial in statistics, as the normal distribution applies to many natural phenomena and serves as the foundation for various statistical methods, including hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. The bell shape is also related to the behavior of the standard deviation; a smaller standard deviation makes the curve steeper and narrower, while a larger standard deviation creates a flatter and broader curve. Overall, the bell shape illustrates how data tend to distribute themselves around an average in various real-world contexts.